Page 93 of The Outcast
Aubri quickly added, “If that’s what it takes to help Banni and Sparrow stay together, we’ll make it happen.”
With a satisfied smirk, Victor glanced at each of us, but his gaze landed on Freya. “That’s good. I would hate to disappoint all you romantics.”
She glared at him for a split second and then she got up and moved to stand in front of him. “You will give us Banni’s freedom and in return we’ll do what we can to help you with your project. Deal?”
“I will grant Banni his wishwhenyou have secured Shelly’s help and Jonah’s permission for me to study the technology that I wish to study.”
“No. In order for us to even pursue their assistance, you will let Banni go. He will still work in your interest, training Explorers in the Northlands where you sent him in the first place.”
Victor played with his lower lip. “You want to hear something funny, Freya?”
She didn’t look like she would find anything funny at that point, but when she didn’t reply, he continued, “Sending Banni to the Northlands was meant to be a punishment.”
Freya didn’t blink. “Then I guess the joke is on you.”
It was awkward to watch their interaction because it felt almost like they had forgotten about the rest of us.
“Do you honestly think their marriage will be a happy one?” he asked. “What happens when he gets bored of fucking the same woman day in and day out?”
Freya had bloody murder in her eyes but refrained from answering his question. “You will send us a guarantee by tomorrow and in return we’ll do our best to help you. Give our greetings to the other delegation members. Please tell them that we are looking forward to visiting France again for the summer summit in August.”
Victor stood up and looked down on her. “I can’t comply with giving you the guarantee until I have what I want, but I assure you that we too will count the days.” His thick layer of sarcasm dripped and fell to the floor when she gave him a mocking smile.
“Try not to get distracted next time we visit, and at least show the women you have sex with the respect of remembering their names.”
His brow lifted. “Excuse me?”
“You called her Yvette, but the orange embroidery on her bag said Yvonne.” With those words, Freya moved around him and walked to the door.
Thor summed up with a serious face. “A guarantee for our help. You have twenty-four hours.”
Victor just shrugged, “We’ll see.”
“Take care, Victor,” Indiana said with an amused grin as he followed Freya, “and thanks for letting us see your place.”
Thor and Freya gave a short goodbye and left me alone with Victor. Shifting to French, I told him, “It would mean the world to me if you can get me Moreau’s permission fast.”
There was the strangest look in Victor’s eyes as he met my gaze without any of his usual arrogance or cockiness. “What’s it like?” he asked.
“What do you mean?”
“This… love that you feel for her. Does it make your head spin and your heart race uncontrollably?”
I glanced at the door and saw the others waiting outside. Turning back to look into his eyes, I answered. “Yes, it does, but not all the time. Sometimes, it’s peaceful and safe, like nothing can ever hurt you as long as you’re together. Sparrow doesn’t want anyone else. She just wants me.” I could hear the wonder in my voice as my lips pursed into a smile.
With his hand on my arm, he said, “Good luck, Banni. If your woman is anything like Aubri and Freya, you’ll need it to stay sane.”
When I joined the others outside and we took the elevator to the ground level, Thor asked me. “What was that about? What did Victor say to you?”
I shifted my balance, not sure what to think about Victor’s mood swing after they left. “Oh, you know, he just took a last jab at Northlander women, saying that he wished me good luck because if Sparrow is like Aubri and Freya, I’ll need it.”
Aubri snorted as we left the building and walked outside. “He couldn’t handle a woman like us.”
Freya said nothing. Her face was emotionless, as if she had retracted inside herself.
“Right, Freya?” Aubri elbowed her cousin.
All she got from Freya was a tiny nod of her chin and then she stopped abruptly. “Will you give me a moment?”
